Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor - What to Ask?

When you need a good contractor, it is vital that you not hire any until you learn the right questions to ask them. Knowing what questions to ask will help ensure that you choose the best contractor for your home improvement needs.

The following questions will help you find the best contractor so you are not left wondering who to hire among a group of interested contractors.

1. What experience do they have? Make sure you are satisfied the contractor has been around long enough to stand behind work performed on your house. This will give you much needed piece of mind knowing that the problem will be fixed right from the start.

2. Are they registered where you live? Don't hire a contractor that is not registered because if they are not then you can be sure there is a good reason why they are not. Avoid working with handyman type contractors for projects that require more than one day to complete.

3. What are their prices for typical home improvements? While you shouldn't necessarily expect a written quote on a complex remodel on the first visit, a credible contractor should be able to quote ballpark prices per square foot for drywall, flooring, paint, tile, etc.

4. Do they offer a written guarantee? What about references? You will want to know this information well in advance of signing a contract.

5. What are the payment terms? Avoid contractors who insist on large down payments at the time of signing. That's usually a sign of a contractor who needs your down payment money to complete another job that they've underbid. Ten percent is customary on the first day of work, with remaining installments to be worked out on a schedule that you mutually agree to. Try to hold back the final 10 or 15 percent until all the work is done and you're completely satisfied that the work has been completed to your satisfaction.

By asking these questions you can ensure that you are hiring the best one out of all the contractors that are available these days. Don't hire any company without first asking some important questions because you can very easily find that you have made a big mistake in the plumber you chose.

Resource: Ezine Articles